An ambulance from Scottish Ambulance Service and several officer from Police Scotland have attended the scene.
Police Scotland said they have no comment on this incident, and we have asked the Scottish Ambulance Service for comment.
The condition of the pedestrian is unknown.
East Lothian Council has revealed it spent £485,120 repairing 5,358 potholes on county roads last year.
However it revealed that despite the thousands of road defects only 47 claims for compensation were made by drivers who struck them.
The latest repair bill for the roads was revealed after an Environmental Information Request was submitted by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
It revealed that in 2019/20 the cost of repairing potholes in the county was lower at £460,688 falling even further during the first year of Covid and lockdowns to £422,445.
In the year after lockdown in 2021/22 the cost rocketed to £597,110.
During that same year the council received 42 claims for damages from drivers who said their vehicles were damaged by potholes. Despite the number of claims it paid out less than £100.
At the time the council revealed it had hired an external claims assessor to handle bids for compensation, which vastly reduced the amount paid out.
Last year however it faced a higher bill, paying out £2719 for 47 claims.
By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter
The camera on Murrayburn Road will enforce eastbound traffic while on Liberton Gardens, southbound traffic will be monitored.
Both had previously been core locations for safety camera van enforcement which involves trained members of Police Scotland staff operating detection equipment.
With speed surveys finding that a significant number of motorists were travelling above the 30mph speed limit, and a disproportionate number of offences were occurring out with hours of mobile enforcement, Police Scotland felt the locations would benefit from a trial of fixed camera technology.
Michael Grant, East Safety Camera Unit Manager “Despite mobile camera enforcement at both locations, speed surveys found that 45% of vehicles on Murrayburn Road and 34% of vehicles on Liberton Gardens were travelling above the 30mph speed limit.
“The East Safety Camera Unit also found that on Liberton Gardens, there was an average of 3 offences per hour out with hours of mobile enforcement.
“Fixed cameras are operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, therefore will be a permanent deterrent, improving speed limit compliance and making these roads safer for all road users.”
Alex Paterson will become the new CEO moving across from a similar position at Historic Environment Scotland (HES) from 2016 to 2024. He is credited with building HES into a “high-performing organisation”. Previously he was CEO of Highlands and Islands Enterprise for six years.
He will come into his new role to drive growth at the Royal Highland Centre, as well as overseeing the charity’s operations, finances and programme development. Streamlining processes has been the goal of the executive team in the last year working with an external adviser.
Alex Paterson, new Chief Executive of RHASS, said: “Joining the RHASS Group at such an important time is incredibly exciting. The organisation’s commitment to innovation and supporting those from within rural Scotland is something I greatly admire. I’m eager to help shape the future strategic direction of the RHASS Group to ensure a lasting legacy for the agriculture and event sector and for those that live and work in it.”
James Logan, Chair of RHASS, said: “Alex brings with him a wealth of experience and we are thrilled to welcome him to the RHASS Group as our Chief Executive. In his previous roles he has successfully handled challenging issues and major organisational change and we are positive that he will help us to shape the future strategic direction of the organisation both commercially and in advancing the work RHASS does to move forward with our mission to support Scottish agriculture and rural communities.”
“We have a very proud history at RHASS and Alex will help drive innovation and help forge exciting opportunities for the future of the charity, our staff, our members and the sector.”
The ERC Goodson Race Team is a core part of the club’s objective to provide competitive, recreational, and social activities for younger riders in connection with cycling.
It is run by volunteers with the aim of developing Scottish riders between the ages of 12 and 16 to reach their potential at Scottish and British levels, and prepare them for junior racing and beyond.
Last year saw the team win 10 Scottish Championship titles on the road and track at Youth A (Under 16) and Youth B (Under 14) level, as well as several races at British level, with three riders selected to represent Scotland at the School Games.
Additionally, for the second year in a row, one of the team’s riders was selected for the British Cycling Men’s Endurance Olympic Development Squad.
The team’s headline sponsor for the seventh year is civil and structural engineering consulting firm Goodson Associates.
The team is also delighted to welcome back sponsorship from the Ian McArthur and Craig Smillie owned SCI Print.
OTE Sport, known for their award-winning sports nutrition products, are on-board for a second year to ensure riders are properly fuelled for their races while the team’s top quality and distinctive red race kit is again provided by Endura, who were founded and based in Scotland.
This year’s team comprises 12 riders across the Youth A and Youth B categories – five girls and seven boys who will be representing the club by racing track, road, time trials and hill climbs in the Scottish and British Series.
Youth A (Under 16)
Kasey Park moves into her final year with the team on the back of a strong 2024. As a first year Youth A, Kasey represented Scotland in the School Games last year where her team took bronze in the Team Pursuit. She was also on the podium in the Scottish Circuit Championships as well as picking up 5 Scottish Track Championship medals.
Joining Kasey in the Youth As are Izzy Barbour and Lucy Sweeney, who both move up after successful seasons in Youth B last year.
Izzy also won five Scottish Track Championship medals in 2024 and qualified for the finals of the British Youth Omnium.
Lucy took podiums in both the Scottish Circuit Championships and Circuit Series last year, and also qualified for the finals of the British Youth Omnium.
In the Open category, Hamish Mayes enters his final year with the team having won the Scottish National Youth Hill Climb Championship in 2024 as a first year Youth A.
Second year Duncan Hind joined the team in late 2024, new to racing, and with a winter of training under his belt much is anticipated from him this year.
Hamish and Duncan are joined in the Youth As this year by Andrew Levinson, Micah Myles and Tymek Chmielowksi, who all raced for the team last year in Youth B with much success.
Andrew won the Scottish Youth B Circuit Championship and Circuit Series last year as well as four Scottish Track titles and finished fifth in the British Circuit Series.
Micah won two silver medals at the Scottish Track Championships as well as finishing sixth in the British Omnium Final, and ended off the year by setting a new Scottish Youth B Flying 200m TT national record.
Tymek also competes as a triathlete as well as on the bike, and took fourth in the Tristar 3 (under-14) Open category at the 2024 Scottish Triathlon Championships.
Youth B (Under-14)
Sarah McCormac and Aarna Dhokia return for their second seasons with the team, looking to build on their solid performances as first year Youth Bs in 2024.
There are also two new members of the team in the Youth B category – Danny Farrell and James Park.
Both boys have moved up to the Race Team this year having attended the club’s Go Ride sessions and represented Edinburgh RC in the lower age categories.
Team Manager James Park said: “We’re excited to launch the ERC Goodson Race Team for 2025 and would like to thank all of our sponsors who help keep the team running with their continued support.
“As in previous seasons, we have a great mix of experienced riders who’ve been with the team for a few years and have won Scottish titles and British races, as well as some new younger riders who want to develop as racers.
“Most importantly we want our riders to enjoy their cycling through a mix of coaching, team rides and team socials.”
To follow the team on Facebook go to: https://www.facebook.com/goodsonraceteam
The Assistant Coach of Australia’s Matildas will be formally announced as the permanent replacement for Pedro Martinez Losa upon the completion of the visa process and is expected to take over in time for Scotland’s UEFA Women’s Nations League match against Austria at the end of May.
Andreatta is currently assistant of the Australian Women’s National Team, as well as Under-23s Head Coach. She supported the now Swedish Head Coach Tony Gustavsson during the fourth-placed finish at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023 and last year’s Olympic Games in Paris.
She is a former Head Coach of Brisbane Roar FC Women’s team in the Australian A-League competition and joined Football Australia’s Technical Department in 2016, serving a number of roles within the organisation starting at the Rio 2016 Olympics, becoming women’s Under-17 assistant, before being promoted to take charge of the 23s and assisting the Matildas.
Michael McArdle will revert to his role as Head of Women’s Elite Football following the forthcoming double header against Germany in Nations League Group A1.
On her appointment as Scotland Women’s National Team Head Coach Andreatta said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be leading Scotland Women’s National Team into a new, exciting era.
“It’s a real honour to join such a strong programme, which you can see from the talent in the senior squad, which runs through all of the age groups. This is testament to the work that’s been done already by Michael McArdle and the team.
“The future is definitely bright and with my extensive coaching, talent development and major tournament experience, my aim is to support the players and staff to reach their fullest potential.
“The ambition is to get Scotland back to consistent qualification and with the squad in a period of transition, this is the perfect opportunity to start building towards that future.
“My family and I are really looking forward to making the move to Scotland in what is a very exciting time for me, personally and professionally. I can’t wait to get started.”
Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA Chief Executive: “Firstly, I would like to thank Michael for his professionalism throughout this process and for stepping-up and taking charge of the national team on an interim basis following Pedro’s departure.
“That the final shortlist comprised candidates from three different continents shows the wide appeal of leading the Scotland Women’s National Team. Melissa provided a breadth of different experiences at all levels of the women’s game in Australia. She is a valued member of the Matildas’ coaching staff but also has responsibility for developing elite youth players within a respected performance system.
“I am sure I speak on behalf of the players when I say we are all looking forward to Melissa starting her new role. I also reiterate my thanks to Michael, who will have a pivotal part to play in helping Melissa and the women’s national teams succeed in the future.”
Hibs recorded their first victory there for seven years and Rocky helped keep a clean sheet.
He was only one of four top-flight players selected by Craig Fowler of BBC’s A View from the Terrace.
The others include former Hibs striker Simon Murray, Dundee United’s Declan Gallagher who helped the Arabs beat Hearts at Tynecastle and Andy Fisher who helped St Johnstone beat Celtic.
Former Hibs youngster Stefan Scougall of Alloa Athletic also made the team.
The full team is as follows.
GK – Andy Fisher (St Johnstone)
DEF – Reghan Tumilty (Hamilton Accies)
DEF – Declan Gallagher (Dundee United)
DEF – Rocky Bushiri (Hibs)
MID – Keith Bray (Inverness CT) Star Man
MID – Ryan Blair (Dumbarton)
MID – Scott Arfield (Falkirk)
MID – Stefan Scougall (Alloa Athletic)
FWD – Simon Murray (Dundee)
FWD – Chris Mochrie (Airdrieonians)
FWD – Oliver Colloty (Peterhead)
Around 11.15pm on Tuesday, 8 April, 2025, officers were made aware of a crash involving the rider of a Kawasaki KLE650 motorcycle and the driver of an unknown car.
Emergency services attended and the 61-year-old male rider was pronounced dead at the scene.
The car left the scene prior to officers attending and headed in the direction of Edinburgh city centre.
The road was closed to allow for investigations to be carried out and reopened around 6.35am on Wednesday, 9 April, 2025.
Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and trace the car and driver.
Sergeant Paul Ewing said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the man who died and our enquiries remain ongoing.
“We are continuing to review CCTV footage in an effort to trace the car and its driver, and I am appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time and may have witnessed the crash or seen any cars in the area or who may have dash-cam footage which could assist to contact us.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 4274 of 8 April, 2025.
Jamal Neves was last seen in the Kilbowie Road area around 4pm on Tuesday 8 April 2025.
He is described as 6ft tall, with brown braided style hair and brown eyes.
When last seen, he was wearing black joggers and a black jacket with white trainers.
Jamal is known to frequent Edinburgh and may have travelled there.
Inspector Bart Simonis said: “We are concerned for Jamal’s welfare and we are appealing to anyone who may have seen him to please contact police immediately.
“If anyone has information which may assist, please phone 101 quoting incident number 4003 of 8 April.”
The Old Town Community Council alerted everyone to a session later today when The City of Edinburgh Council is running an information session about the changes to Johnston Terrace and Castle Terrace as well as the Lawnmarket. This event is fairly well hidden on the council website with a lot more information here.
Read more about what is happening on Lawnmarket here.
The University of Edinburgh has grants of up to £5,000 available for projects, community activities and sustainable local action through funding and collaboration. Anyone applying is invited to Change Local Lives.
An informal, friendly meeting for University of Edinburgh community applicants will be held on 23 April at The University of Edinburgh Paterson’s Land Holyrood Road EH8 8AQ between 10am and noon. An online event will be held on 22 April.
The session is a chance to:
Over the last three years, Fruitmarket have been working with See with Me, a group of people who are blind or visually-impaired. The work which began with detailed descriptive tours of Fruitmarket exhibitions, has developed to include monthly creative workshops led by visually-impaired artists working with sighted artists. Every session, participants experiment with art materials, equipment and techniques to test out what is accessible and enjoyable for each participant. An exhibition opens today with a discussion on Thursday evening at 6pm with lead artists Kirin Saeed and Louise Fraser allowing them to share their experiences.
One of mountaineering’s leading figures, Mike Raine, is launching his new book at Alpkit Edinburgh on 17th April to share his best ‘tales from the trails’.
Dubbed a ‘bikepacking travelogue for our times’, ‘Riding My Bike’ brings together several years of bikepacking experience gained by Mike, who is a well-known naturalist, experienced mountaineer, outdoor educator and mountain biker.
Whether you are just starting out in bikepacking or you are a seasoned pro, join Mike for an evening of adventures and anecdotes about the people he meets and cycles with, and the places he’s ridden – from the Highland Trail 550, Trans Cambrian, Lakeland 300, to his own Cylchdaith Cymru/Welsh 550 journey.
A form of adventure travel, bikepacking has been around since bikes were invented but has grown in popularity in recent years, with riders focusing on off-road trails as they combine multi-day cycling with lightweight packing.
Speaking ahead of his book tour, Mike said: “The UK is an exceptional place for bike-bound, off-road trips and I’m looking forward to sharing some of my experiences and some lessons learned with those thinking about their next bikepacking adventure.”
Attendees can expect an “engaging account of bikepacking as it should be done, with head up and eyes open.” (Jethro Jessop, Bikepacker and YouTuber).
Alpkit, sponsors of the Mike Raine Book Tour, are hosting the event at their Edinburgh store on Thursday 17th April between 6.30pm-9.00pm.
Tickets are available now at £12.50 each at https://bit.ly/42nuv8j
Residents of a Midlothian village are being encouraged to roll up their sleeves and start sowing and growing ahead of the return of a historic garden competition this summer.
Newtongrange Community Council has announced the launch of the 2025 Newtongrange Garden Competition, with prizes up for grabs in a number of categories including Best Garden, Best Pots and Baskets, Best Wild Garden, Best Fruit and Veg, Best Flowers and Best Young Gardener. Competition to win these coveted cups is set to be especially high this year, as green-fingered locals celebrate 150 years of horticultural heritage in the village.
According to the local history and reminiscence group, Newtongrange Village Voices, the roots of this historic garden competition can be traced back 150 years. A Horticultural Society was formed in the village in 1875, and its first annual show was held in September that year.
June Robertson of Newtongrange Village Voices explained; “Newtongrange was built as a model village with large back gardens and small front gardens. Vegetables were grown in back gardens and flowers were usually planted in the front gardens. Miners spent a good part of their day working hard underground, and enjoyed pastimes such as gardening which let them enjoy sunshine and fresh air.”
The 2025 Newtongrange Garden Competition is open to all residents of Newtongrange. Entrants must email secretary@newtongrange.org by Sunday 1 June 2025 to register their interest. Categories include Best Garden, Best Pots and Baskets, Best Wild Garden, Best Fruit and Veg, Best Flowers and Best Young Gardener. Judging will take place on Sunday 8th June, with celebrations to follow at a later date in Newtongrange Community Garden.
An Easter Chick popped along to help celebrate and was egg-static to try out some of the attractions fun-filled eggs-hibits!
Until 26 April visitors can enjoy the Easter trail around the five floors of the attraction, hunting to find the colourful eggs “lost” amongst 100 interactive exhibits. A sweet treat reward is available to all children taking part. The trail is included with standard admission.
Themed decorations and seasonal projections will be hatching out everywhere and the panoramic Rooftop Terrace remains open all year for the best Edinburgh views.
Andrew Johnson, General Manager said “We strive to make every visit to Camera Obscura & World of Illusions special, and we’ve hatched a great new Easter trail as a fun, egg-stra touch we’re excited to share. It’s all about creating unique, memorable moments for our visitors, whether they’re seeing us for the first time or something new for those who come regularly.”
Open every day during the Easter holidays, with extended opening 8am-10pm from 12-26 April. Book tickets online at www.camera-obscura.co.uk. Early-bunnies get 20% off tickets during the holiday for entry before 9am when booked in advance online.
New analysis by the party shows that Scotland has the fewest planners per head of population of any UK nation, and the party says this sparksfresh concerns about the effect of long waits on investment.
The planning system in Scotland has developers waiting for a long time according to Labour’s investigations The most recent annual data on planning applications shows that more than one in three local development applications waited longer than the recommended two months for a decision, while over 40 per cent of major development applications with a processing agreement breached the agreed timescale.
Scottish Labour warned that Scotland’s “slow and under-resourced planning system” is driving investment away and blocking development.
The party has revealed plans to boost economic growth and tackle housing shortages with planning reform saying the SNP has failed to act with any urgency on the matter.
The UK government’s planning reforms are expected to boost GDP by 0.2 per cent, or around £6.8 billion, by 2029/30 – the largest positive growth forecast the Office for Budget Responsibility has ever made for a zero-cost policy.
Scottish Labour Economy spokesperson Daniel Johnson MSP said: “The SNP’s low-growth economy has deprived Scots of jobs, left our country poorer, and starved our public services of resources.
“We need to get building, but under the SNP Scotland’s planning system is overstretched and under-resourced.
“After almost 18 years in charge the SNP still can’t even get the basics right. Our clogged-up planning system is driving away investment and jobs, but it should be a vehicle for growth and jobs.
“The UK Labour government’s ambitious reforms will add billions of pounds to the UK’s economy and create countless jobs, and we need that same level of ambition in Scotland.
“A Scottish Labour government will speed up Scotland’s planning and ensure it has the staff it needs to cope, so we can boost growth, create jobs and build the houses our country so desperately needs.”
The Scottish Parliamentary election will take place in May 2026, and the party will confirm its candidates for all consituencies in the next few weeks. Ballots open later this month and will close on 5 May with the result expected a few days after that.
Mr Beattie will not be unopposed however as SNP councillor, Kelly Parry, leader of Midlothian Council,has confirmed that she has been formally nominated as a candidate in the same constituency.
Colin said: “I am delighted to put myself forward again to seek to represent the residents of Midlothian North. In every parliamentary election for Midlothian North & Musselburgh I have increased both my majority and my share of the vote. I am confident I can do so again in 2026 if members give me this opportunity. My very extensive network of contacts throughout business and the communities enables me to use my experience to the benefit of all particularly when we are seeing so many experienced parliamentarians leaving Holyrood.”
Mr Beattie has been the MSP for Midlothian North & Musselburgh since 2011. Prior to that he was for five years the Councillor for Midlothian Ward 6, (Newtongrange, Gorebridge, and the Moorfoots).
He said he has never wanted to be a Government Minister choosing to focus instead on his constituency work where he feels he is most needed.
Mr Beattie, the former SNP National Treasurer until 2020, was arrested but not charged in connection with the recently concluded police investigation, Operation Branchform. Police Scotland has confirmed there will be no charges. Mr Beattie said: “I am relieved it is over and that I am completely cleared of any suspicion. It has been an unnecessarily stressful two years for me and my family, with almost daily media attention, which we would not wish to endure again. Our thanks to the kindness and support from so very many residents.”
The Fisherrow Trust is working with Porty Community Energy on a project to promote the use of solar panels on heritage buildings and help local communities.
The Trust, which leases its Fisherrow buildings from East Lothian Council, had asked planners if it needed permission before installing the panels but has now been told it is permitted development and will not require approval.
Port Community Energy, which asked planners for a ruling on the project said it would allow the Fisherrow Centre to “maximise the community benefits of renewable energy by promoting themselves as an exemplar of a heritage building working towards carbon Net Zero in a way which also builds community resilience and capacity.”
It said: “This joint project with Porty Community Energy aims to achieve
both environmental and societal improvements for Musselburgh, Portobello and the wider region.”
The energy firm plans to install solar PV cells on the roof of the main building and annex as part of the community energy project.
It said slates which would need to be removed to make room for the panels will be kept in storage ready to be put back when they are removed in the future.
The Fisherrow Community Centre was established in the former school building in the heart of Musselburgh’s harbour area in the Seventies before becoming the Fisherrow Centre in 2006 when the trust was formed and signed a 99-year lease from the council.
The trust, a registered Scottish charity, raised funds to carry out improvements in the centre and established it as a community space for local events and groups to use.
Last year the council signed a new agreement with the trust which transferred more responsibility for its management from the local authority to the charity giving it more powers to plan for its future.
By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter
Already popular in Europe, some councillors hope such a scheme would help with parking issues around stadiums on match days.
SNP councillor Neil Gardiner said: “It would be helpful to give sports fans and concert goers an option to include public transport, at a discounted rate in their event or season tickets. This is currently being looked at for the proposed concert hall at Edinburgh Park.
“Considering including this option for Hearts, Hibs, big rugby occasions and concerts would make sense.
“As a football supporter, I am aware that season ticket sales are already underway. It would be good to understand what is possible when this comes back to the transport committee next month.
“Such an initiative could also take pressure off communities such as Lochend, which my colleague councillor Aston has previously raised.”
Councillors approved an addition to a parking strategy document on Thursday which called on officers to report on progress on exploring the plans at the next Transport and Environment Committee meeting in May.
It asked officers to see about allowing people going to sporting events to purchase a public transport ticket when they get their game tickets.
Their report will also include an update on building relationships between public transport operators in the city and concert and sporting venues.
Gardiner also hopes that a similar scheme, currently being researched, will be applied to the new concert venue set to be constructed at Edinburgh Park
The 8,500 capacity venue will be situated next to Edinburgh Park railway station, a tram stop and several bus stops, with construction expected to be complete in 2027.
The addition to the strategy document also noted that ‘poor parking by a minority of match day fans’ was causing problems for people living near the city’s stadiums.
It further asked that council officers increase the amount of parking enforcement near city stadiums on match days.
By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter
Any property owner seeking to build, improve or alter their home or commercial premises must have the correct consents. This begins with a planning application and usually progresses all the way to a completion certificate.
Some applications for large developments such as purpose built student accommodation have been referred to the government Reporter after refusal by the council. Alterations to some buildings may also need listed building consent which is dealt with simultaneously.
There is a class of alterations which are considered “permitted developments” and will not need any planning permission. There is more guidance here.
The list below is in order of the 17 council wards in Edinburgh – which extends from Portobello to South Queensferry. The list includes a number of applications for consent, including retrospective consent, to change the use of premises to short term let accommodation.
These are just some of those which we think worthy of noting:
Conversion of office building into five domestic flats at 49 Queen Street EH2 3NH. This application is coupled with an application for Listed building consent “ensuring full compliance with Scottish Building Standards and relevant planning policies. The design aims to create high quality living spaces while preserving the architectural integrity of the building and meeting modern sustainability and accessibility requirements wherever possible or practicable
25/01550/FUL
To erect a 4 Storey residential development comprising of 8 Flats with associated works. at Land Adjacent To 25 Telford Drive
25/01705/FUL
Ten new buildings including a medical centre, transport building, offices, storage, garage / workshops and accommodation.
Refurbishing the existing Category C listed Barracks buildingfor office and storage use. The new buildings would be a mixture of single and two storey.
The proposal forms part of a wider relocation of army facilities due to the scheduled closure of Redford Barracks at
Dreghorn Barracks
82 Redford Road
Redford
EH13 9QW
25/01681/PPP
This is quite separate to the sale of former Army homes to tenants which is looking likely.
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Mauricewood Primary School, in Penicuik, has more than 350 pupils on its roll with one in five coming from local military based families, but parents say plans to invest in it have been delayed and Midlothian Council has said there is not even enough money for basic improvements.
Safety issues raised include leaking roofs and claims a fire, sparked by an electrical fault, was only avoided after children smelt smoke.
After a meeting between parents and the council failed to address concerns, the school’s parent council has now written to education secretary Jenny Gilruth MSP, asking her to step in.
In their letter they say: “While the size of the school is an issue, our biggest concern is about the safety of our children following a spate of issues.
“These include an electrical fault nearly resulting in a fire, detected initially by children smelling smoke from their class; and longstanding roofing problems leading to leaks in classrooms.
“Suitability reports rating the building as poor – showing major problems and/or not operating optimally – date as far back as May 2018, with no works so far taken to address the issues.
“Ultimately, the council is failing to provide a suitable environment where the children can learn, despite the best efforts of school staff, who often go above and beyond for them.
“We are worried that it will take a serious incident, or for it to reach a point of no return, for this matter to be addressed.”
Parents say they confronted the council at a meeting last month pointing out that more than 1,000 new homes were being built in the are and developer contributions should be invested in the school.
However they say they were told contributions were not enough to go ahead with plans for an extension and that “if borrowing was required to undertake work and provide a building big enough to educate Mauricewood’s children, a statutory requirement, and safe for them to learn in, parents would have to sacrifice “other things that are important to people, for example leisure centres not opening at weekends” .”
David Mackay, parent and chair of the school’s parent council, said the council had failed to plan for the inevitable situation facing the school despite years of being aware of the problems.
And he said parents were concerned that Mauricewood would face the same fate as Mayfield Primary School in Dalkeith which closed at short notice in December because of its poor condition with pupils relocated to a new school.
Mr Mackay said: “Midlothian Council has unfortunately failed to plan for and address the needs of Mauricewood Primary School over a sustained period of time, leading to a perfect storm of major issues – capacity, condition and suitability.
“Despite council awareness and discussions going back years, Mauricewood seems to have fallen through multiple cracks and never been prioritised when it comes to developer contributions or other sources of funding.
“We’re extremely concerned about the safety of the building, as well as the long-term effects that these issues are having on the children’s education.
“Having seen what happened with Mayfield Primary School in December, there unfortunately seems to be a pattern developing regarding schools in Midlothian. A pattern that only purposeful action can break.
“Until a commitment is in place to address the major issues outlined as a matter of urgency,we will continue to ensure our voice is both loud and clear.”
A Midlothian Council spokesperson said: “We acknowledge the frustration expressed that, having previously identified the need for expanded capacity, a project was developed to extend Mauricewood Primary School to address the forecasted capacity breach.
“The attendees at the Parent Council Meeting on March 20 were informed that this project is presently paused for affordability reasons. The existing Building Condition Survey for Mauricewood Primary School in 2021 notes the Overall Condition Assessment as Condition B level, which is defined as Satisfactory in performing adequately but showing minor deterioration.
“The school is being resurveyed during the Easter 2025 break, with the completed and revised data available in May to review and prioritise work packages and align them with the budget profile for affordability and areas of highest need in the learning estate.
“A report will be brought back to council following the conclusion of this work.”
A spokesperson for Scottish Government said: “It is vital that children have a safe and nurturing environment to learn. While it is the statutory responsibility of local authorities to manage and maintain the school estate, direct Scottish Government funding has seen the number of schools in ‘good’ and ‘satisfactory’ condition increase from 62.7% in 2007 to 91.7% in 2024.
“The Scottish Government is continuing to invest in the school estate through the £2 billion Learning Estate Investment Programme, through which Midlothian Council will receive significant funding for the following projects the Council identified as priority: Beeslack Community High School, Penicuik High School and Mayfield Primary School Campus.
“The Education Secretary takes the concerns raised by parents seriously and intends to respond to their letter directly.”
By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter
The result is an exhibition which opens on Wednesday and runs until 13 May 2025 showing what it is like to approach art as a visitor who is blind. The exhibition includes touch boxes now a part of every display at the gallery, deconstructed maps with personal stories hanging on a scaffold and also tactile tabard artworks on hangers. Assistants will be on hand throughout the month-long display to provide visual descriptions of what is on show.
On Thursday 10 Aprilfrom 6pm to 8pm there is a discussion with See with Me lead artists, Kirin Saeed and Louise Fraser. They will share their experiences and insights into how blind and visually-impaired communities are changing contemporary art galleries and access to participatory art. This talk will be live captioned, this is a real-time process where spoken audio is converted into text captions, making content more accessible and understandable, especially for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
The aim of the exhibition is to ensure visually-impaired visitors get the most out of Fruitmarket exhibitions and highlight the great work being made by the participants. See with Me follows the social model of disability, which is a way of viewing disability that focuses on removing barriers in society. It is hoped that both visually-impaired and sighted audiences will enjoy this, and it is on during the Easter holidays so children can also come along to experience the interactive installations.
PHOTO Neil Hanna
Recent changes to the tackle height law for community rugby players in Scotland was linked with a 45 per cent reduction in head-on-head contact – one of the primary causes of sports related concussion, experts say.
A trial during the 2023/24 season found players were 22 per cent more likely to tackle bent at the waist, the recommended technique to reduce player head proximity and contact.
Researchers who led the study of data collected say the behaviour change resulted in fewer head-to-head and head-to-shoulder contacts between tacklers and ball-carriers.
This is the first of three research studies undertaken by the University of Edinburgh and commissioned by Scottish Rugby to evaluate the lowered tackle height, with the impact in the women’s and youth community game also being evaluated.
The study of men’s community rugby in Scotland is the first peer reviewed study to evaluate the lowered tackle height law introduced by Scottish Rugby in the 2023/24 season, as part of global World Rugby Law trials.
Scottish Rugby recommended an opt-in international law trial of lowering the tackle height from the shoulder to below the sternum or breastbone – also known as a belly tackle – throughout the community game.
With increasing recent focus of concussions in rugby union the trial was introduced to improve player safety by reducing the risk of head-on-head contact and concussions. The lower tackle height is considered the safest for both the tackler and the ball carrier.
The trial was adopted by Scottish Rugby and made compulsory across all amateur playing levels.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh used video analysis to study 18,702 tackles from 60 men’s community matches to compare the 2022/23 (pre-trial) and 2023/24 (trial) seasons.
The analysis used footage from Scottish Rugby which recorded players’ activity including tackle type, body position, contact point and head contact. This data was then coded according to guidelines developed by World Rugby.
Lowering the tackle height was associated with a 29 per cent reduction in head-to-shoulder contact for the tackler and ball-carrier. During the trial season tacklers were significantly more likely to enter contact in a bent at waist position.
This change was associated with a 19 per cent reduction in the rate of head and upper torso contacts to the ball-carrier and an increase in frequency of tackles to the ball carrier’s lower torso and upper legs.
Sanctions related to high tackles tripled in the 2023/2024 season. There was no significant change to the rate of all other illegal play.
They also found no significant increase in tacklers’ heads coming into contact with the ball-carriers’ hips or knees, which is associated with an increased risk of head injury assessments and concussion diagnosis.
The study is part of an international project led by World Rugby to assess the effects of lowering the tackle height in 11 countries including Australia, England, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa and Wales.
Lead author, Hamish Gornall, of the University of Edinburgh’s Moray House School of Education and Sport, said:
“Our findings show lowering the maximum legal height of the tackle in men’s community rugby proved effective in altering tackling behaviour in line with the aim of the recommendations. Collecting prospective injury data, as well as continued monitoring of player behaviour across subsequent seasons would be beneficial to further investigate the implications of the change.”
Dr Debbie Palmer, of the Institute for Sport, Physical Education and Health Sciences at the Moray House School of Education and Sport, and co-Director for the UK Collaborating Centre on Injury and Illness Prevention in Sport IOC Research Centre, said:
“As a collision sport head injuries in rugby are a reality, and in an effort to protect players this is one of the biggest law changes the community game has seen in recent years. These initial results are very encouraging. The team are also evaluating the impact of the law change in Scottish women’s and youth community rugby. More to follow soon.”
Scottish Rugby’s Director of Rugby Development, Gav Scott said: “Scottish Rugby is continuing to look to evolve the game to increase player welfare while making it a more exciting and inclusive game to play.
“Research with key partners such as University of Edinburgh helps us identify which initiatives are working and guides our future plans in an evidence-based way. We look forward to continuing this partnership.
“We’d also like to thank our rugby community for persevering with this law trial, as the results of this male adult trial are hugely positive. It reflects back on the nature of the clubs, schools and match officials we have, to make this work.”
Scottish Rugby Chief Medical Officer, Dr David Pugh, said: “At Scottish Rugby we strive to reduce the incidence of concussion in as many ways as we can. We are also working with the university on an injury surveillance project, and we hope that this will see a significant drop in concussion rates due to the lower tackle height trial.
“Hamish’s research clearly demonstrates that player behaviours have changed, reducing head-to-head and head to shoulder contacts which should lead to reduced numbers of concussions in our players.”
Mark Harrington, Chief Player Welfare and Rugby Services Officer at World Rugby, said:
“It’s hugely encouraging to see the impact trials of a lower legal tackle height are having in Scottish community rugby. World Rugby first coordinated these trials around the world in 2023 and that work is now bearing fruit. It should give everyone confidence that the results in Scotland are in line with the positive outcomes we are seeing in the rest of the world. I would like to thank all of those players, officials, researchers and referees in Scotland and beyond who have made these trials such a success.
“Player welfare is World Rugby’s number one priority and we will never stand still in this area. We’ll continue to work with valued partners such as Scottish Rugby to refine community tackle laws, ensuring that rugby is a fun game to play and as safe as it possibly can be.”
The council had more than 1,000 complaints lodged in the last three months of 2023. The bulk came from householders angry at missed bin collections as well as changes in opening hours at the county’s recycling centres which were introduced in October that year.
This month’s meeting of the council’s Performance Committee heard that while waste operations continue to bring in the most complaints they have also seen the largest drop as the new opening hours and booking system have bedded down in the public perception.
The committee heard that the total number of complaints to the council between October and December last year was 839. This compared to 1,094 for the same time in 2023.
Operational Services and Housing, Customer and Building Services (HCBS) are the main complaint generators by service, accounting for 78.8% (661) of all recorded complaints in Quarter 3, of 2024/25.
Standards of service and council policy generate the biggest number of complaints and the biggest falls in recent figures.
Livingston south Councillor Maria MacAulay asked why figures had been so high in previous years.
Joe Murray, a Project and Systems Manager for the council, explained that bad weather had been a generator or many service complaints in missed bin collection.
He added: “In quarter three of this year the weather was particularly mild. Bins tend to be adversely affected with weather conditions in 2022/23 was possibly re-routing of collection which accounted for more complaints.”
Other changes such as the introduction of brown bin charges last year also added to the number of complaints, Mr Murray told councillors.
The majority of Standard of Service complaints have been generated by Operational Services (302) and HCBS (125) which account for 79.9% of all recorded complaints in the category.
The equivalent quarter in 2023/24, Operational Services (353) and HCBS (149) had a combined total of 502 complaints categorised as Standard of Service.
Of the 302 Operational Services Standard of Service complaints, Waste Services received a total of 213 complaints. The majority of the complaints were linked to bin related issues.
A report to the committee added: “A total of 78 Policy related complaints [such as changes to recycling centre opening times] were received by the council. This was a decrease of 138 from the equivalent quarter in the previous year (216). Operational Services (36) and HCBS (24) account for 76.9% of all Policy complaints. Within Operational Services, Waste Services received 22 complaints which is a decrease of 131 when compared to the equivalent quarter in the previous year.
“These complaints are generally related to bin contamination and bin presentation issues where they are not emptied. The reduction in Policy complaints saw the largest fall linked to Community Recycling Centres which reduced by 79.”
The report concluded: “Waste Services had a decrease in the level of complaint over this quarter when compared to Q2 2024/25 from 588 to 261. This was linked to a reduction in complaints relating to missed container collections.
“Complaints linked to the service changes to the CRC sites and the implementation of the brown bin charges peaked in Q1 2024/25 and have shown a quarter-by-quarter decrease.”
By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter
Buckner, now in his third term in the top job, is determined to win having failed to lift the trophy having been runner-up on the two previous occasions he has been involved in the event.
Ex-president Marshall, however, who has been a member for 48 years, is determined to win the match scheduled for Saturday, May 10.
The green at Ladycroft, in the heart of Balerno, opens on Easter Sunday and volunteers are already working hard to spruce up the club to prepare for the big day.
The Downstairs Hall, which will house an appearance by top vocal impersonator, Gerry Anderson, on Saturday, May 17, is being redecorated and improvements made in and around the green.
Among plans to encourage more local people to join is the re-introduction of regular Hat Nights on a Monday and Saturday with the probable starting date of May 5.
FACE-TO-FACE: Brian Buckner (left) and Philip Marshall. Picture Nigel Duncan
BRUSH STROKES: The volunteer painters (left to right): Philip Marshall, Brian Buckner, Gordon Cameron and George McLaughlin. Picture Nigel Duncan
This is intended for anyone interested in the temporary scheme which will come into effect later this summer on Lawnmarket, Johnston Terrace and Castle Terrace.
After several trials on the Lawnmarket to restrict traffic and improve vehicle safety, the council believe that the best option is to remove traffic at the busiest period of the day.
At present Lawnmarket is closed because of the relaying of the setts, improvement to pavements and drains from the roundabout outside the Hub to George IV Bridge. Although the road is closed to vehicles it is open for emergency services and also all pedestrians or those in wheelchairs or with prams.
The hostile vehicle mitigation barriers have been permanently removed and will be replaced by moving bollards the same as they have outside the City Chambers when the work is complete.
After this work is completed in July this year the plan is to trial a new road layout under an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO).
It is planned to introduce restrictions between 10.30am and 7.30pm Monday to Saturday and 12.30pm and 7.30pm on Sundays. There will also be restrictions introduced on Johnston Terrace where larger vehicles will be restricted, and coach parking removed.
There will be additional blue badge parking introduced on Johnston Terrace as well as public and resident parking.
This will be in place for 18 months to allow the council to assess the impact of the changes in the area.
There will also be a public consultation online in due course. It is the councillors on the Traffic Regulation Orders Sub-committee who will decide on making the changes permanent.
Anyone is invited to comment or ask further questions here.
Selm Muir is now under the management of Scotland international carp fisherman, Andrew Taggart, who has been giving the site near Livingston a facelift and is keen to encourage more people, including youngsters, into the sport.
Nearly 80 of the original carp plus new stock awaits anglers at the lake which will be otter fenced, has toilets, an on-site tackle shop, bailiff and a private car park.
To fish the water you need to be a member and the advertised fee is £150 per calendar year and this will include 10 kilos of house pellets and a tub of popups plus a discount at nearby West Lothian Angling which is also owned by Taggart.
Members will be able to book a slot online and 24-hours sessions are £25 and day sessions £15.
An application form is on the website at www.selmmuircarpfishery.co.uk and rules include a maximum of two rods and no braided line. Leaders are not allowed and tubing is recommended. Only barbless or de-barbed hooks can be used and the minimum main line to be used is 0.35mm or 15lb.
Taggart said: “Selm Muir is for anglers by anglers.”
PICTURE: A section of the new fishery near Livingston. Picture Nigel Duncan
The community councils are bodies which must be consulted in relation to planning or other permissions in the city centre.
This time the festival is due to take place around the weekend of 13 September but the application states that FLY will be “on site from 5 to 17 September” (presumably to allow the set up and take down). The NTBCC ask if that means the public will be excluded from part of or the whole gardens for the whole 12 days.
They also question measures to ensure sound levels are retained within legal limits and whether or not fossil-fuel propane flaring will be a feature of the performances as it has been in the past.
The body also want to know how many people will be admitted into the Ross Bandstand and why there is a secondary stage in the Red Blaes area near the children’s playground.
This is the information which the council provided to stakeholders:
The Old Town Community Council has also responded to the council suggesting that the single page information sheet has “next to no detail” on how the event will be set up, operated and removed.
They have suggested to the council that it is a “complete waste of our collective time” asking for comments on this basis and it is impossible to make any informed comment.
They have pointed out that any events at Ross Bandstand should be appropriate in scale, setting and frequency in the public park, and they do not support this event.
FLY Festival has been contacted for comment.
Margaret Ross was last seen in the Moredun area in the early hours of Tuesday, 8 April, 2025, and is believed to have possibly travelled towards the Little Frances Crescent area of the city.
She has links to Craigmillar and Moredun, and is also known to frequent the city centre.
Margaret is described as white, around 5ft 4 in height, of medium build with long fair/blonde hair.
When last seen, she was wearing a pink t-shirt, black jacket, jeans and black trainers.
Sergeant Craig Darling said: “We are concerned for Margaret’s welfare and we are appealing to anyone who may have seen her to please contact police immediately”.
If anyone has information which may assist, please phone 101 quoting incident number 0044 of 8 April, 2025.
A free exhibition at Out of the Blue Drill Hall will run from 11 to 18 April showing a broad range of artwork and creations, including jewellery, painting, tapestry and video art created by Drill Hall artists.
Kaleidoscope is the fifth exhibition by all resident artists and makers who work in the hall, and this year the theme is light and colour.
Dan said: “We are delighted to be able to showcase the eclectic range of talent contained within the walls of the Drill Hall and it’s a pleasure to have the opportunity to reach out to the wider Leith community which gives inspiration to so many of us.”
Out of the Blue Chief Executive, Rob Hoon, said: “Over the course of Out of the Blue’s 30 year history, hundreds of artists have worked in our studios and created a huge range of artwork including painting, graphic design, photography, glasswork, jewellery and more. By offering exhibition space to our studio artists we aim to support them in showing and selling their work. We invite those from Leith and beyond to come and take a look. We are confident you will like what you see. ”
Details of the exhibition and free evening events, as well as a list of participating artists and makers, can be found on the Out of the Blue website.
“Indifferent Weather” runs until Tuesday 29 April in the Art and Design Library on George IV Bridge.
This is an exhibition staged by Edinburgh LoFi – a traditional alternative and Lomographic photography collective which has been running for 16 years. They meeting twice a month for photowalks and workshops and this exhibition is the response to one of their themed challenges.
The images are produced by cyanotype, silver gelatine, pin-hole and Polaroid processes. A spokesperson said: “The currents running round our weather systems affect us all. A butterfly influencer causes a storm, a wallowing elephant a tsunami.”
Edinburgh LoFi is a “friendly, welcoming group” and everyone is welcome to meet up with them. You can find out more on the Edinburgh LoFi website.
Scotland’s second Festival of Europe is being held at the French Institute, Edinburgh, on 10 and 11 May and organisers say they have booked “top-flight speakers”.
Backed by the European Movement in Scotland and a wide range of other organisations, a major theme of the two-day event is “The Future of European Democracy”.
The organisers say the Festival comes at a time when far right parties are on the rise across Europe and, as Donald Trump’s administration changes the global order that has been in place since the end of the Second World War.
Mark Lazarowicz, one of the conference organisers and a former Edinburgh MP, said: “The world is more unstable today than at any time in the past 80 years. There are powerful political forces at work here, in Europe, the USA and globally that want to tear down the institutions and ideas that have brought freedom, dignity, security and stability to millions.
“We have assembled an outstanding cast of speakers who will explain where we are now and look at how we can keep democracy healthy in Europe.”
The Close:Up Edinburgh Docufest 2025 (EDDF2025) is coming to The Cameo Cinema this month. The festival takes place on 25 April, the annual documentary film festival will screen short and feature films from around the world.
This year’s documentaries centre on the themes of identity, relationships and family bonds, social issues and personal challenges. Featuring seven films by independent filmmakers from seven different countries, EDDF2025 celebrates diversity and becomes a place of expression for as many voices as possible.
This year’s feature film is Martijn van de Griendt’s “The Holy Trinity”. The Dutch filmmaker captures Alex Sophie, Emma and Robbie, three friends from Eindhoven, during the summer of their high school graduation year. A coming-of-age film that explores friendship, loss and insecurity.
In the Short Docs selection audiences will travel from Italy and Germany to Estonia, Iceland, the United Kingdom and Greece. The programme opens with Francesco D’Ascenzo’s “The Father’s Place”, which tells the story of a complicated father-son relationship, James C Thompson’s “Paula Says Hi”, builds an intimate portrait of disabled, gender-fluid cosplayer Paul/Paula while Maros Pulscak’s “Backstage Bardo” presents the daily life of morgue workers.
Travel to Berlin with Wolfgang Friedrich Müller’s “Berlin: Everything’s-Changed Place” and follow the journey of Peruvian Cumbia with “When Cumbia is On” by Paz Gonzales.
The Close:Up Edinburgh Docufest is moving to April entering the city’s spring cultural agenda.
We have an amazing cohort of readers who support us with donations and also newspaper subscriptions. If you would like to join the gang, then head over to our Ko-Fi shop where you can do just that. Click on the image below where there are several options from donating a monthly sum (or a one-off) or buying a newspaper subscription.
Spring is definitely in the air. Feast your eyes on this image taken in Randolph Crescent.
The structure, housing tennis and padel courts, was erected in October last year, by the Grange Club.
City councillors had rejected plans for the structure, but their decision was overturned by a Scottish Government planning reporter on appeal.
Campaign group Stockbridge Residents Against the Plook (StRAP) say the structure is “a monstrous blight” on the “cherished conservation area”.
They have written to Scott Ferrie, the Chief Reporter in the Scottish Government’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA), to call for a review of the way the case was handled.
Nearby residents claim they were not informed about the appeal decision and were unable to raise further objections or seek a judicial review within the six weeks allowed after planning permission was granted.
The letter says: “Local opposition to the erection of the tennis and padel courts remains significant. Residents were not notified of the decision so were unable to submit their objections within the designated time scale.
“We respectfully request a thorough internal review of this decision, particularly considering the strong local opposition, lack of sufficient consultation, and the contrasting conclusions reached by the experienced planning committee.
“We request that consideration is given to a lack of transparency in the process and the subsequent nuisance effects, in terms of noise and light infringement, which have resulted from the erection of the courts.”
Residents in nearby Reid Terrace have told how they close windows and shutters to keep out the sounds of players and hum of electric fans that keep the dome inflated, as well as the dazzling lights.
They include Sarah Hill, who said: “This was a lovely, tranquil neighbourhood until the courts were built, but now I have to endure 14 hours of relentless ball-bashing and players’ shouts every day.
“Doubles matches are really awful and it’s particularly bad at night when the area is quiet, and it goes on after 10pm.
“I knew nothing about this latest development until they started to build it, so something is not right about it.”
Keith Hughes, who says the noise keeps him awake at night, started a petition to call for alterations to be made so it is more in keeping with the surrounding area.
The petition, already signed by over 740 people, states: “The new structures are a visual blight on our neighbourhood and mar the aesthetic of our cherished conservation area.
“They stand in disturbing contrast with the existing Victorian Pavilion, built in 1893 by Grange Club members who were clearly mindful of their legacy and built a structure to be admired rather than one that is ugly and ill fitting.”
Peter Hamilton, who lives in nearby Raeburn Place, said: “The outlook across a beautiful area has been devastated by these massive structures, not just for surrounding residents but also for passers-by and visitors to this conservation area.
“Since ‘the Plook’ went up we’ve stopped looking out of our windows. It’s the only way to avoid the lowering of mood that the thing provokes. There is the light pollution too and the noise of the fans, which can be heard indoors with the windows closed.
“It is unfathomable that one person, the Reporter, who overturned our democratically elected council’s decision to reject this theft of peace, quiet and green space, proceeded without anyone who objected even knowing it had gone to appeal.
“For structures with this level of impact on the local amenity there should have been a much wider and more thorough consultation. The lack of engagement with their neighbours, at any point in the proceedings, doesn’t reflect well on The Grange.”
Mairi Buchanan, whose home on Saxe Coburg Place overlooks the site, and whose signature appears on the letter to Mr Ferrie, added: “It makes me wonder what the point of a conservation area is, if a monstrosity like this can be built in its midst.”
The group say they are continuing to examine other courses of action, after claiming the Grange Club refused to discuss any compromise with them.
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The competition is open to S1-S3 pupils and schools are asked to enter two teams comprising four athletes each.
The teams of two boys and two girls – one featuring a combination of S1/S2s and the other
from S3 – will take part in the 100m, 600m, shot putt and long jump.
Almost 100 youngsters took part in the 2024 contest, which returned after a seven-year
hiatus.
Organiser Grant Sheldon now hopes to see more participants on the starting line this year.
He said: “This is the second year running of the event in its latest guise. Following on from the
success of last year, we want to continue that and establish it as an annual fixture.
“But we still want it to be an introductory event with a focus on participation and recognition
of displaying admirable values in sport.”
Edinburgh Academy and a combined team of St George’s and Merchiston Castle took the
honours in last year’s competition.
Other high schools taking part were Firrhill, Broughton, James Gillespie’s, Portobello,
Drummond, George Heriot’s, Queensferry, Erskine Stewart’s Melville, Currie and Wester
Hailes.
Entry costs are £25 per team. For further details or to register your school’s interest, please
email gsheldon23@yahoo.co.uk
After some inquisitive sniffs and playing, dad Otto and mum Gloria soon settled in for a nap, leaving Haggis free to have a sit in the sun.
The pygmy hippo family are not living together full-time, but the wildlife conservation charity’s lucky visitors might catch them mixing under keeper supervision as part of ongoing efforts to familiarise the hippos.
Since Haggis was born in October 2024, Otto has been living separately. This mimics the natural behaviours of pygmy hippos, where the mother takes responsibility for the care, protection and guidance of the calf.
Visitors can book zoo tickets online in advance and save at edinburghzoo.org.uk/tickets
He attended final meetings before heading home after a long weekend of Tartan Week engagements and championed “mutually beneficial trade links between whisky businesses in Scotland and the United States”.
Meeting with sector representatives on his final day in New York where he has been focused on promoting trade and investment for Scotland, the First Minister chaired a roundtable with members of the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) and US partners.
The United States is the top export market for Scotch whisky – worth £971 million in 2024 – while Scotland’s whisky producers import around $300 million of used bourbon casks every year.
Mr Swinney said: “The Scotch whisky and American whiskey industries enjoy strong links and support a huge amount of trade, jobs and investment on both sides of the Atlantic.
“Scotch whisky is a truly global brand that represents the best of Scotland’s economic innovation. The strength of the sector – and reputation of the products – can act as a passport to attract international investment in Scotland and help maximise the mutual benefits of trade and economic integration.
“Despite the increasingly volatile global economy, Scotland and the United States remain connected by strong social, economic and cultural bonds that have been forged over many years. The Scottish Government will strive to ensure they continue to strengthen.”
SWA chief executive Mark Kent said: “The Scotch whisky industry fully supports the First Minister’s efforts to highlight the investment Scotland, and particularly Scotland’s national drink, brings to the US economy, creating jobs across manufacturing, distribution and hospitality across the States.
“Scotch whisky is an example of the mutually beneficial trade which can be generated between Scotland and the United States. Scotch whisky is a quarter of all Scottish exports to the US. But it is not one way traffic across the Atlantic, with the industry working hand in glove with US partners to grow exports and inward investment to Scotland. It is this spirit of partnership which we are united in promoting.”
The First Minister has had a full agenda since landing in New York on Friday, including marching down Sixth Avenue in the parade led by actor Alan Cumming.
On Saturday evening at Carnegie Hall he hosted a VIP reception and explained why Scotland is an excellent place to live, work, study, visit and do business,
Duncan Chisholm played the Gregg fiddle which “played such a big part in Robert Burns’ life”
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